Designed to Fail: Catholic Education in America

by Steven L. Kellmeyer

Book Overview

Using the evidence of Magisterial, European and American history, this book analyzes the historical standards the Catholic Church established for education and demonstrates exactly where and when the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0976736802
• ISBN13: 9780976736806
• Release Date: October 2005
• Publisher: Bridegroom Press
• Length: 244 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Insightful

Mr. Kellmeyer has finally spoken the unspeakable - he has challenged the popular opinion of Catholic, indeed Christian, child education. This work takes us on a historical overview of the history of childhood education from the early church to the present. In addition, Mr. Kellmeyer challenges the reader to identify who is the agent of childhood education in scripture and church history. It is the parent who is to have primary responsibility for the education of children. The role of the Church should be to equip and assist parents in carrying out that responsibility and not replacing them in that responsibility. It seems obvious to some but has been lost in our popular culture that sees the government or other institutions as our parent, undermining the family unit and the role of parents. Mr. Kellmeyer is a gifted teacher and speaker and his writing style reflects his preference for speaking. Some have criticized his conversational approach in writing. But beyond those criticisms, he has made a valid point that few want to face. In attempting to shape the hearts of minds of children we have neglected shaping the hearts of minds of the adults that would influence and educate them more effectively. Being focused on the children may be politically correct and seem most compassionate but in the role of education it is counterproductive. Attempting to mold young minds without the aid of their parents is, at best, a wasted effort. We need to reinforce adult Christian formation if we have any hope of reaching the next generation.

A must read for every Catholic in America!

As a homeschool parent and a headmaster at a small independent school I fully appreciate the background and historical information the author enlightens us with. There are definitely some holes in his argumentation but this is a great read for anyone involved in the present renewal of Catholic education. As a headmaster, I find that many parents want to raise holy Catholic children but often get caught up in one movement or another. This is a great read that will educate parents on what the historical problems were and why the current system isn't working. It also gives the concerned parent a lot to chew on: that is, that their own formation should precede that of their children's! Definitely a recommended read, but be ready for some shocking discoveries.

"Subjected to Negative Influences"

The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that "The education of conscience is indispensable for human beings who are subjected to negative influences and tempted by sin to prefer their own judgment and to reject authoritative teachings" (#1783). It was precisely to guard and guide Catholic children that the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore met in 1884 to declare that every parish was obligated to establish a parochial school. Mr. Kellmeyer argues that, for many reasons, this decision--however well intended--was bound to fail. The chief reason for failure, he contends, is that such schools violate the concept of subsidiarity (see p. 75), by which he means, in this instance, an undermining of parents' authority and responsibility for the Catholic education of their children. The sacrament of marriage, he maintains, offers the grace necessary to build upon nature--which is to say that Catholic parents must teach the faith to their children because the family is, in fact, a domestic church, and parents "have the first responsibility for the education of their children" (see CCC #2223). Parents must "teach children to avoid the compromising and degrading influences which threaten human societies" (#2224). Mr. Kellmeyer points out that this responsibility is not divinely assigned to priests, or to parishes, or to parochial schools--but to parents who have largely abrogated that duty, trying to assign it elsewhere. Couple that abrogation with negative societal influences, with what Mr. Kellmeyer calls a "Prussian-based" school system, with feckless (at best) or diabolical (at worst) instruction in many/most government schools, with Catholic universities which teach error and condone ignorance about the faith which they are supposed to be defending and inculcating, and graduates of "Catholic" institutions who are both uninformed and unformed (cf. 2 Tm 4:3; CCC #1785, 890, 892, 450, 407, 408, 1269)--and we have a recipe for spiritual disaster. By the way, he is not opposed to Vatican II: in fact, he sees tell-tale signs of approaching moral catastrophe (and that is, after all, precisely what it is) in the pre-Vatican II Church. Mr. Kellmeyer advances a number of ideas intended to rectify the evil about us--principally (and most compellingly) serious, substantial adult education (see p. 189). There is, very tragically, much evidence to sustain his thesis (and to corroborate his comments about proper Church-state relationships [see pp. 133-134; and CCC #2032], about which most Catholics have little or no understanding): Consider, for example, what passes for Catholic formation in ostensibly Catholic secondary schools and colleges; defective seminary education (in that regard, see Michael S. Rose's work); a lack of leadership from those entrusted with keeping the wolves at bay by "hitting them with their croziers" (see pp. 145, 187); heresy on the part of some priests and nuns; liturgies that ignore Church teaching; and on and on. Mr. Kellme

In reading I felt like I was watching the Matrix again for the first time

About Reviewer: I am Catholic, from birth, I attended Catholic school for four years, 2nd-5th, attended CCD classes at my parish through High School. Reading the book gave me the impression I was waking up from a 'Matrix' like existence. There were many 'Aha!' moments when what I intuitively felt as a Catholic was explained concretely. The book needs to be reread and digested, because I cannot look at my children's education the same way anymore. The book relates the history of the Catholic Church in America, to show us how we ended up where we are today. The author heavily uses references to Church Documents to support his position, showing that it is not his personal opinion being expressed, but the Wisdom of the 2000 year old Catholic Church being made clear (to me, for the first time). At times the author does use very strong language, absolute language that may be hard to accept -- but it is used primarily to drive ideas home that will make the reader think hard, not necessarily to make the reader agree. I strongly reccommend the book, and in particular to all Catholic Parents. We are responsible for the souls of our children.